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The 14th February & Beyond

Examining Valentine's Day's mutation from a heartfelt celebration to a cash-fueled emotional carnival, revealing the toll on our collective mental health in a profit-centric world.

The film meticulously examines how Valentine's Day, once a tender celebration of love, has been twisted into a fierce competition and a relentless self-esteem checklist. It also looks into moral policing by vigilante groups, revealing how societal pressures and commercial influences intertwine to create a complex web of expectations and anxiety. What was intended as an expression of affection has become a battleground for comparison. The film exposes the profound consequences that accompany this transformation, unmasking the dark memories, feelings of humiliation and rejection, and self-esteem crises that plague those who find themselves on the fringes of this manufactured celebration.

Through intimate interviews and compelling narratives, "The 14th February & Beyond" intimately captures the diverse experiences and perspectives surrounding Valentine's Day. Experts from various fields, including psychology, sociology, history, and cultural studies, provide profound insights into the intricacies of this love fest and its ramifications on individuals and society as a whole. These enlightening conversations shed light on the psychological toll of societal pressures, the manipulation of emotions by advertising and marketing campaigns, and the pervasive influence of tradition.

Going beyond the surface-level festivities, the documentary uncovers shocking facts about the relentless commercialization of Valentine's Day. It brings to the forefront the hidden costs of this holiday, both financial and emotional, as individuals feel compelled to spend exorbitant amounts of money on gifts and elaborate gestures in an attempt to meet societal expectations. "The 14th February & Beyond" unearths the overlooked traditions and spending habits that have been normalized, offering a comprehensive examination of the true essence of this love fest.

As viewers embark on this eye-opening narrative, they are invited to critically reflect on the societal constructs surrounding love, relationships, and self-worth. Through a masterful blend of historical context, expert analysis, and personal stories, "The 14th February & Beyond" challenges conventional narratives, encouraging a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between love, consumerism, and mental well-being.

Ultimately, this documentary serves as a call to action, urging audiences to question the prevailing norms and expectations associated with Valentine's Day. By unmasking the shadows of this celebrated holiday, "The 14th February & Beyond" invites viewers to embrace a more authentic and compassionate approach to love, free from the constraints of consumerism and the damaging impact on mental health.

  • Utpal Kalal
    Director
  • Utpal Kalal
    Writer
  • Utpal Kalal
    Producer
  • VIJAY PHANSHIKAR
    Key Cast
    "Interviewee"
  • DR. SUDHIR BHAVE
    Key Cast
    "Interviewee"
  • NAMITA SINGH
    Key Cast
    "Interviewee"
  • MANJITA VANZARA
    Key Cast
    "Interviewee"
  • SHILPA AGRAWAL
    Key Cast
    "Interviewee"
  • YASHMA MATHUR
    Key Cast
    "Interviewee"
  • VENKAT ARAVALA
    Key Cast
    "Interviewee"
  • NEERJA SINGH
    Key Cast
    "Interviewee"
  • Kaustubh Manchekar
    Cinematography
  • Viraj Tadwalkar
    Cinematography
  • Sumanth Shetty
    Music
  • Anup Rupanwar
    Sound Design
  • Sai Nathan K
    Re Recording Mixer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Investigative, Research, Social, Crime, news, documentray
  • Runtime:
    58 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 22, 2019
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Jaipur International Film Festival 2020
    Jaipur
    India
    Winner, Best Film award (Documentary Feature)
  • International Documentary Film Festival Millenium 2020
    Brussels
    Belgium
    Official Selection
  • Mumbai International Film Festival by Govt. of India (MIFF)
    Mumbai
    India
    January 31, 2020
    World Premier
    Official Selection (National Competition)
  • UK Asian Film Festival
    Middlesex
    United Kingdom
    March 25, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Riverside International Film Festival
    California
    United States
    Winner, Best Documentary, Audience Choice Award
  • San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival
    San Diego
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Golden Tree International Film Festival
    Frankfurt
    Germany
    Preliminary Selection
  • Indian Film Festival of Houston, Inc
    Houston
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
    Melbourne
    Australia
    Australian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • International Film Festival of India, IFFI
    Goa
    India
    January 18, 2021
    Indian Panorama Selection
Distribution Information
  • Espresso Media International
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Utpal Kalal

Utpal Kalal is a filmmaker based in India, brings over a decade of experience in directing a diverse range of indie projects. His recent award-winning documentary, "14th February & Beyond," delves into themes of love, consumerism, and self-worth, while also addressing the issue of Moral Policing by vigilante groups in India. The film has been premiered at over 15 film festivals, including the Mumbai International Film Festival (by Films Division of India), the Youth Vision Competition at the Millennium International Documentary Film Festival, Belgium, San Diego Comic-Con, and the Indian Panorama selection at the International Film Festival of India.

Utpal's film has been acquired by Espresso Media International, London, for worldwide rights. It has subsequently been broadcasted on television, released on streaming platforms, DVDs, and has also found its way into U.S. public libraries. The distribution channels include RTVE (Spain), Tubi by FOX, Amazon, STV (UK), RTBF (Belgium), MVD Entertainment, and Dreamscape Media.

Currently residing in Udaipur city, Utpal was born and raised in a small village in the Rajasthan state of India. Despite studying medicine, he chose to pursue his passion for cinema. The unique combination of his rural and medical background has informed his storytelling and artistic vision, leading him to develop his upcoming project in his home state. The project explores an interlocking story involving different individuals in multilayered interactions of resistance, politics, identity, ecology, and human emotion.

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